RESEARCHERS TEST HERPES VACCINE

AP

Published: April 23, 1987

CINCINNATI, April 22—
An experimental herpes vaccine has shown promise in guinea pigs, researchers say, and human testing may begin in two years.

The vaccine significantly limited development and recurrent attacks of herpes in the guinea pigs, said Dr. Lawrence Stanberry, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital Medical Center here. He described the study in the May issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Tens of millions of Americans carry genital herpes infections, which are transmitted sexually. The infection usually involves the herpes simplex virus type 2, which is sexually transmitted. A related virus, type 1, causes cold sores but sometimes also infects the genitals.

Genital herpes virus stays in the body for life, and in some people flares up periodically to cause painful blisters. Infection can also lead to a sometimes fatal inflammation of the brain, especially in newborns who are infected by their mothers, and to a blinding eye infection. Two Herpes Virus Proteins

Researchers tested the genetically engineered vaccine, which contains two herpes virus proteins, on guinea pigs because they had ''a lot of features in common with people, immunologically and embryologically,'' Dr. Stanberry said.

Of 28 guinea pigs vaccinated and then exposed to herpes, five developed mild symptoms of the disease, as opposed to 36 of 37 guinea pigs who were not vaccinated, Dr. Stanberry said.

Because the vaccine caused a reduction in recurrent disease among the guinea pigs, Dr. Stanberry said it might be used to treat people who already had herpes. He predicted that the vaccine would be tested in humans in the next two years.